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Study identifies patients with lung cancer most likely to respond to immunotherapy

Researchers found patients with a particular type of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B44 were more likely to benefit from immunotherapy in melanoma but not non-small cell lung cancer. The study identified mutations driving the different responses, paving the way for better patient stratification and potential therapy design.

Melanoma and Parkinson's disease

A study reveals that amyloid protein alpha-synuclein found in Parkinson's brains is also present in skin cells producing melanin, modulating protein fibril formation and suggesting a molecular link between the two diseases. The discovery may explain the observed association between Parkinson's disease and melanoma.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 31, 2020

How tumor cells evade the immune defense

Researchers have developed a method to investigate how cancer cells evade the immune system, revealing that some genes can be downregulated over time to avoid detection. The study suggests that targeting these genes could lead to more effective immune therapies.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalImmunity·DateAug 5, 2020

Blocking inflammatory pathway key to preventing brain metastasis from melanoma

Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that tumor cells 'hijack' an inflammatory pathway in the brain to spread melanoma, and blocking this pathway could prevent brain metastases. The study found that inhibiting the expression of a specific receptor on melanoma cells significantly inhibited the development of brain metastases.

Moffitt researchers identify effective drug combination against uveal melanoma

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified a new drug combination that is effective against metastatic uveal melanoma cells. The combination of an MEK inhibitor and a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, such as panobinostat, has been shown to prevent resistance to the MEK inhibitor and enhance its anti-tumor properties.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJul 8, 2019